Perhaps now is a good time to do this as for all we know your computer might be DOA. Why try to fix it when you just going to replace it. There are several ways to get the data off of your hard drive. The easiest and most cost efficient way is to put the drive into another windows desktop computer and copy the files off of it. If you wanted you could copy the files off the hard drive, reformat the drive, and then use it as a secondary drive. The problem with this is that most manufacturers will try to consider your warranty void if you open up the computer. Another problem is if you bought a desktop that only had the bare minimum connections and slots. Also the biggest problem is if you get a laptop.

Another option is to use an external drive enclosure. This will turn your hard drive into an external drive for another computer. It won't void your warranty and it will work with a laptop. If you want to continue to use this then you really don't want to cheapen out on this.

Another option is to use an IDE to USB cable. However I don't recommend this since I don't know if they are any good or reliable. Also those will leave your hard drive exposed. Let us know if you have any more questions.